Final Fantasy XIII: Lightning Returns Review | FilmGamesEtc

Some gamers may be wondering why Final Fantasy XIII spawns two sequels when it isn’t even that good or why the game is so over-rated, considering that it isn`t anything like the retro Final Fantasy games of yesteryears. As a matter of fact, after the release of Final Fantasy X, the series took a plunge for the worst and has spiraled into a creative yet sterile status. With the release of Lightning Returns, you can see that Square Enix is now shifting its focus back towards what had worked before for the franchise and making sure that the end product is not only gorgeous and a step above the rest in innovation but is also fun to play first and foremost.

This. One thing I've noticed is that the visuals seem to have been diminished in the sequels. I'm not a graphics nut, but the lack of graphical consistency bugs me. The first game was utterly gorgeous with better lighting, both in-game and in cutscenes. The sequels used the in-game models in their cutscenes.

I'm sure it is an enjoyable game in its own right, but SE is just all over the place with this subseries or whatever you call it. Just wish they would go back to characters with meaningful developments and less melodrama.